Toy



nited States Patent Filed Mar. 19, 1958, Ser. No. 722,492 Claims. (Cl. 124-11) The present invention relates -generally to a noise producing toy and, more particularly, to a noise producing toy operated by pressure air or the like, which is capable of producing a maximum noise effect for a given amount of pressure. More speciiically, the principles of the invention may be employed to provide a toy gun, cannon or the like which will produce a realistic, loud, sharp report and which will simultaneously eject spent shells and produce a realistic recoil eiect.

Over the years, there have been produced a great number of noise producing toys which produce the noise effect through the release of air under pressure. One of the oldest examples of this type of toy is, of course, the popgun. In the usual pop-gun, a cork is positioned to seal a chamber and when the pressure in the chamber builds up against the exposed area of the cork to a sufficient magnitude to displace the cork, the cork pops out producing a dull, explosive sound. In all of the prior toys, however, the level of the noise produced is rather low because the release of the gas is rather gradual and because it is not possible to produce suiciently high pressures in the chamber before the cork or other seal is ejected. In the case of the pop-gun, the cork gradually works its way free from its chamber, and finally when it is ejected from the tube, the noise is produced, but the ejection of the cork is so gradual that the sound is usually not a sharp, loud report, but is instead a dull pop.

Also, despite the large number of such toy guns and the like which have been on the market for many years, none of them are capable of ejecting a spent shell case or the like simultaneously with the production of noise. The provision of such an action which provides a high degree of realism has long been desired in the toy eld.

Accordingly, it is the principal object of the present invention to provide an improved noise producing toy which produces the noise elect through the release of pressure air. Another object of the invention is the provision of a toy noise producing device in the form of a gun or cannon which will produce a realistic, sharp, explosive sound which, to a great degree, simulates the report of a gun. A further object of the invention is the provision of such a toy which resembles a gun or cannon and which is capable of ejecting a spent shell or the like simultaneously with the explosive report. Another object of the invention is the provision of a device of the class described which realistically recoils simultaneously with the explosive report. Still another object of the invention is the provision of a combined shell case and projectile which is especially adapted to simulate the loading of a round of ammuntion into the gun and the ejection of a spent shell from the gun after its discharge.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become known by reference to the following specication and the accompanying drawings of one preferred embodiment thereof.

In the drawings:

FIGURE l is a side elevational view of a cannon which embodies various of the features of the invention and also illustrates one air source which may be employed in providing pressure air for the cannon, as well as a number of shells for use with the cannon;

FIGURE 2 is a vertical cross section of the breech of the cannon shown in FIG. 1, illustrating the noise producing mechanism as well as the arrangementemployed for effecting recoil of lthe barrel and the ejection of the spent 2,991,781' vPatented July 11, 1961 lCe sheli. In this figure, a shell is shown being inserted into the breech of the cannon;

FIGURE 3 is a View similar to FIG. 2, illustrating the shell in the breech and with the noise producing mechanism in the rst stage of ring; and

FIGURE 4 is a view similar to FIGS. 2 and 3, illustrating the cannon immediately after firing and showing the discharge of the spent shell case.

I have discovered that it is possible to obtain a loud, sharp, realistic report from an air-pressure-actuated gun which includes an air chamber sealed by a displaceable member. This is accomplished by designing the chamber and the member in such a way that air pressure on the displaceable member is minimized or directed so that the components of forces tending to displace the member are extremely small until a predetermined pressure is reached in the chamber. Then, when the predetermined air pressures are reached, the mechanism is so arranged that almost instantaneously, maximum air pressures are directed to supply maximum components of forces which tend to suddenly and violently displace the member. This pro'- duces an almost instantaneous escape of high pressure air which produces a loud, sharp, realistic report. Moreover, the violence with which the member is displaced under these conditions is such that it may be employed to produce the ejection of a shell case and/ or the recoil of the barrel mechanism.

Although the noise producing feature of the present invention may be utilized in a wide variety of toys resembling various objects, the illustrated embodiment is in the form of a simulated cannon.

The cannon 11, illustrated in the drawings, comprises generally, a mount or base 13 which is adapted to sup,- port a gun frame or housing and simulated recoil mechanism 15. As illustrated, the base 13 includes a trunnion support frame 17 which is supported on the base 13 by means of a vertically extending pivot 19. The gun frame 15 is provided with a pair of horizontally extending trunnions 21, one of which is shown in FIG. l, the trunnions 21 being journalled into the trunnion support frame 17, as illustrated. The support means which has been described enables the training and elevation of the `gun frame 15 on the base l13. Means such as a rack and gears or the like (not shown), and suitable controls (also not shown) may be provided for effecting the training and elevation of the frame 15, but the exact method of supporting the noise producing mechanism to be described does not constitute a part of this invention, and numerous variations may be employed.

In the rearward end of the gun frame and recoil housing 15, there is supported a breech block 23 and the forward end of the frame 15 is provided with an opening in which there is rigidly supported a longitudinally extending tubular section 25 which is adapted to receive the rearward end of a simulated gun tube or barrel 27 (FIGS. 2 to 4). The tubular section 25 and the gun barrel 27 are so proportioned that the gun barrel can slide longitudinally in the guideway provided by the section 25, and the section 25 is long enough so that it provides an adequate support for the barrel 27 as the cannon is trained and elevated Iand as the barrel recoils, as will hereinafter appear. The forward end of the tubular section 25 desrably extends outwardly of the frame 15 so as to simulate the appearance of a gun jacket, as at 25a, and the forward end of the barrel `27 is desirably provided with a simulated flash hider 29 tofur'- ther simulate the realism of the device. f

Pressure air for the cannon 11' may be provided by any suitable means. In the illustrated embodiment, 'air pressure is provided by a standard, plunger-type pump 31 constructed in the manner of a bicycle or tire pump andwhich is mounted on astand `33:. The stand 33in the illustrated embodiment is also arranged to support a number of the rounds of ammunition as illustrated. As is shown in the drawings, the air pump 31 is connected to the breech 23 of the cannon 11 by the conduit 37 and, as will be pointed out, the noise producing elements in the illustrated device are arranged in the breech 23 of the cannon.

Now considering the noise producing mechanism, it should be understood that the noise producing mechanism may be fabricated and arranged in a number of ways to accomplish the desired noise effect. In the disclosed construction a pressure chamber 39 is arranged in the breech 23 of the cannon 11. However, this represents but one possible arrangement suited for incorporation of the noise producing mechanism in a toy.

As has been pointed out, the noise producing mechanism basically comprises a pressure chamber, an opening in the pressure chamber, and sealing means in the opening which may be displaced incident to the air pressure in the chamber to permit the escape of pressure air. In the structure illustrated, the arrangement is such that forces tending to ejector displace the sealing means are minimized until the pressure in the chamber is at a predetermined point. Then, the forces are all applied with suicient effect to rapidly eject the sealing means. For the purpose of brevity, the structure illustrated will be described after which its operation will be described.

The pressure chamber identified as 39 in the illustrated structure has side walls 41 which are defined by the walls of the breech 23 of the cannon. The breech 23 is cylindrical in cross-section but it may be of any desired shape. The forward end of the chamber 39 is closed by an end wall 43 and the rearward end of the chamber is provided with an opening 45, as illustrated.

The sealing means in the illustrated embodiment constitutes the combination of a displaceable member 46 and a seal 48. The displaceable member 46 comprises a cylindrical tube 47 which is closed at its forward end by a wall 49 so as to provide a piston-like structure. At the rearward end of the tube 47 there is provided a circumferential flange 51 which is adapted to provide a seat for the seal 48 between the tube 47 and the rearward end wall of the chamber 39 around the opening 45. The seal 4S in the illustrated embodiment is in the form of a flat, circular washer 53 of plastic or the like, and this washer is seated in a circumferentially extending groove 59 fo-rmed by an inwardly extending circumferential flange 55 on the rearward end of the chamber 39 and a co-operating inwardly directed, circumferential ange 57 located on the interior of the chamber 39 and spaced forwardly from the flange 55. The two anges 55 and 57 define the circumferentially extending groove 59 in which the washer 53 is seated. The washer 53 is proportioned and arranged so as to preferably fit loosely within the groove 59 and to bridge the inner surfaces of the flange 55 of the chamber and the flange 51 on the tube 47.

The closed forward end 49 of the tube 47 is adapted to bear against the forward wall 43 of the chamber 39. In order to provide a seat for the forward wall of the tube 47 a recess 61 is provided in the rearward surface of the forward wall 43 of the chamber 39 as illustrated, and a circumferentially extending ange 63 is provided on the forward end of the tube 47 so as to provide a seat for a sealing means 65 which will be hereinafter described.

The sealing means 65 is adapted to control the air movement from the chamber 39 into the space between the forward end 49 of the tube 47 and the forward wall 43 of the chamber 39. The sealing means 65 illustrated is a ring 66 of rubber, plastic or like material, the ring being circular in outline and in cross section is conveniently fabricated as illustrated in an L-shape. The L-shape is desirable because it provides a means for obtaining a gas-tight seal between the Vcylindrical surface 4 of the tube 47 and the ring 66, as well as between the flange 63 on the forward end of the tube 47 and the for ward wall of the chamber 39 around the recess 61. 'Ibis construction is clearly illustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawings.

As is illustrated in F1G. 2, the conduit 37 4from the air pump is connected through a suitable opening to the interior of the chamber 39.

In order to provide a guide for the tube 47 of the displaceable member 46 as it moves forwardly and rearwardly in the chamber 39, and to provide means for maintaining the member 46 in the chamber 39, the forward end 49 of the member 46 is provided with a forwardly extending rod 67. The rod 67 is rigidly attached to the forward wall 49 and extends forwardly through an opening 69 provided in the forward wall 43 of the chamber 39. In order to hold the member 46 in position in thea chamber 39, a collar 71 is fixedly attached to the rod 67 and a coil, compression spring 73 is disposed between the collar 711 and the forward wall of the chamber 39, as illustrated.

I order to provide a guide for the forward end of the rod 67 there is provided a tubular frame 75 which extends forwardly to a point remote from the forward wall 43 of the chamber. Conveniently, as illustrated, the frame work 75 extends forwardly to a position within the section 25 of the gun frame 15 and is proportioned so as to fit the interior of the gun barrel 27 and to provide a guideway therefor. Thus, the forward end of the frame 75 is stabilized and located by the interior surface of the -gun barrel 27 which is adapted to slide longitudinally therealong, and the gun barrel 27, in turn, is held in place by the section 25 of the gun frame 15 which provides an outer guideway yfor sliding movement of the barrel 27. The forward end of the frame work 75 is provided with an opening 77 in which the forward end of the shaft 67 is supported for slidable movement. In order to provide for a recoil effect by the barrel 27, the shaft 67 is extended forwardly and is fixedly attached to a partition 79 which in turn is fixedly attached to the interior of the gun barrel.

Thus, it will be seen that fore and aft movement of the rod 67 in the apertures 69 and 77 will move the gun barrel 27 in and out of the gun frame 15 to simulate a recoil action. The `arrangement of the tubular frame work 75 and the tubular section 25 which provides a guide for 4the barrel provides a rigid frame structure which makes it possible to fabricate the toy from relatively light weight materials.

In operation, pressure air is introduced into the chamber 39 through the conduit 37. During the time the pressure is being built up to a `predetermined value the pressure air is confined to the annular space in the chamber 39 around the cylindrical wall of the tube 47, the pressure air being prevented from acting upon the end wall `49 of the displaceable member 46 by the seal 65. At this time the only force tending to displace the member 46 is the action of the pressure air limited to the annular area which lies between the flange 55 of the chamber and the walls of the tube 47. This force is, of course, counterbalanced by the force of the spring 73 and the pressures which are directed forwardly against the seal at the forward end of the tube 47. However, the elements of the device are so proportioned and selected that when the pressure in the chamber reaches a predetermined value, the seal 65 breaks, thus permitting the pressure air to reach the forward end 49 of the member 46. Pressure on the end of thc member 46 supplies a ,large component of force which is effective to rapidly eject the member 46 rearwardly thus breaking the seal at the rearward end of the chamber. The resulting rapid release of pressure provides a loud, sharp report. When the air pressure in the chamber 39 is completely released, the spring 73 returns the member 46 to its position in the chamber and re-establishes the seals effected epamail `by ther-ing 66 and the washer 53. As will be noted, the connection between the barrel 27 and the shaft 67 by the member 79 causes the barrel to recoil and return to its original position as shown by the sequence of movements illustrated in FIGURES 2, 3 and 4.

As Vwill be noted 'from the foregoing description, the pressure air is prevented from exerting force on the forward end 49 of the member 46 until after a predetermined pressure is reached by maintaining the seal 65 intact until that pressure is reached. Various means may be employed to control the pressure at which this seal will be broken. For example, the sealing ring 66 may be fabricated from a relatively stiff or rough material which will at la given pressure permit more air to leak through the seal 65 than can escape through the small space required between the `opening 69 and the rod 67 to permit sliding movement therebetween. This will cause a -build up of pressure between the end wall `43 of the chamber and the end 49 of the member 46 so as to cause the member 46 to start to move and thus completely break the seal 65.

' p In the alternative, the annular area between the ange '55 of the chamber 39 and the wall of the tube 47 can Abe made slightly greater than the area exposed to pressure at the forward end of the member 46 when the seal 65 is being maintained so that at a predetermined pressure the `force of the spring 73 is overcome and the seal 65 is broken by the forces exerted on the annular area at the rearward end of the displaceable member 46. Of course, other means of balancing Vforces and seals will present themselves to one sk-illed in the art to produce the minimization of forces until the predetermined pres- Ysur/es are reached and the application of maximum forces after that pressure is reached.

In `order to heighten the realism of the device, -a round of ammunition 35 is provided 4for -insertion into the rearward end of the member 46. As illustrated, the interior of the member 46, if it is to receive a shell, is hollow to provide a receptable for the round 35.

As illustrated in the drawings, the round of ammunition 35 includes a shell case 81 which has a generally cylindrical shape `and the usual flanged base 83. The

Aopen end of the shell case 81 is provided with a circumferential retaining flange 85 at its mouth which extends inwardly into the interior of the shell case as illustrated particularly in FIGURE 4. A projectile 84 is telescopically supported within the shell case. The rearward `end of the projectile 84 in the illustrated embodiment, is `provided with a circumferential flange 87 which is adapted to engage the flange 85 on the shell case so that the projectile 84 and shell case 8'1 cannot be readily disengaged `from one another. In order to perm-it the escape of entrapped air from the interior of the shell case as the projectile 84 and case 81 telescope, an -air vrelief opening 89 is provided in the base S3 of the shell.

IIn operation, the round of ammunition 35 with the projectile 84 in an extended position, as shown in FIG. 2, is inserted in the breech 23 of the gun in the nterior of the tube 47. As the shell 35 is moved in the direction of the arrow 91 (FIG. 2) and the nose of the projectile 84 engages the forward wall 419 of the tube V47, the shell case 81 and projectile 84 telescope so that the projectile 84 disappears inside the shell case S1 as illustrated in FIG. 3. When the member 46 is rapidly displaced rearwardly incident to the tiring of the gun, the rearward movement of the member 46 propels the shell case rearwardly and throws it from the breech 23 of the gun. Of course, the exterior dimensions of the shell case and the interior of the tube 47 are so proportioned so that there is a loose sliding t and there is no difliculty in the case 81 being ejected from the in- `terior of the tube 47.

When it is desired to reactivate the round of ammunition, a rod (not shown) may be inserted through the opening 89 to push the projectile out of the in- 6 terior of the shell case or air 'pressure may be built up within the interior of the shell case by blowing into the opening 89, thus moving the projectile out of the shell case. In the alternative, a suitable finger grip (not shown) or the like may be provided in the nose of the projectile to provide means for readily pulling the projectile from the interior of the shell case so as to reactivate the round.

In order to provide maximum realism in the recoil and shell ejection features, the seal 48 at the rearward end of the member 46 should be of a type that will permit rearward movement of the member 46 without breaking the seal between the member 46 and the ange 55 of the chamber 39. If such movement is permitted before the seal 48 is broken, the full force of the air pressure within the chamber 39 can be allowed to act on the piston and wall 49 to effect sudden and substantial movement of the displaceable member 46. This movement coupled with the resultant inertia effects a realistic gun barrel recoil and shell ejection action. 'Ihis result is accomplished by the construction shown in the drawings or by other suitable means. In the construction shown in the drawings, the washer 53 is fabricated from flexible material and is of substantial width so that it will bridge the flange 51 on the tube 47 and the ange 55 of the chamber 39 to permit the initial rearward movement of the member 46 without rupture of the seal to thereby allow the application of the full pressure to the displaceable member.

Another suitable construction involves the provision of a two step circumferential ilange (not shown), one having a greater diameter than the other at the rearward end of the tube 47 in place of the flange 51. A seal would be effected against the ange of larger diameter and would also bear against the circumferential surface of the smaller diameter ilange with a sliding contact. The distance of movement before the seal was broken would then be determined by the width of the small diameter flange. When the small diameter flange was moved beyond the seal the air would then rush out to produce the report.

It will be seen from the foregoing description that the invention provides a novel noise producing means, as well as a cannon or gun which can be extremely realistic due to the recoil and the shell ejection features. This device can be made in substantially any size and is extremely attractive to children. Moreover, the toy may be readily fabricated from plastic, metal or other suitable toy materials.

l Various features of the invention which are believed to be new are expressly set forth in the appended claims.

I'claim:

l. A noise producing toy comprising means defining an air chamber, an opening in said chamber, a source of pressure air for said chamber, means for sealing said opening to prevent the egress of pressure air from said chamber, means for breaking said seal including a piston, means for subjecting said piston to pressure air in said chamber, and means for minimizing the air pressure on the portions of said piston which supply forces to break said seal below a predetermined pressure and for exposing said portions to said pressure air when said predetermined pressure is reached, so as to effect movement of said piston under the force of said pressure air to break said seal.

2. A noise producing toy comprising means defining an air chamber, an opening in said chamber, a source of pressure air for said chamber, means for sealing said opening to prevent the egress of pressure air from said chamber, means for breaking said seal including a piston, means for subjecting said piston to pressure air in said chamber, means for minimizing the air pressure on the portions of said piston which supply forces to break said seal below a predetermined pressure and for exposing said portions to said pressure air when said predeter- .rnined pressure is reached, so as to effect movement of said piston under the force of said pressure air to break said seal, and means for maintaining said s eal intact during the initial movement of said piston so that said pressure air will effect rapid movement of said piston before said seal is broken.

3. A noise producing toy including means defining a pressure chamber having an opening defined therein, an elongated piston having one of its ends in said opening and having its other end located in said chamber, a rst scaling means intermediate the end of said piston in said opening and said chamber to seal said opening from the egress of pressure air, and second sealing means between the end of said piston `in said chamber and the means defining said chamber for preventing pressure air in said chamber rom acting on that end of said piston, said second sealing means being bre-akable at a predetermined air pressure less than that required to rupture said first sealing means, and means for supplying pressure air to said chamber to create said predetermined pressure whereupon said second sealing means is broken, thereby permitting the pressure air in said chamber to act on the end of said piston in said chamber to rapidly displace said piston outwardly through said opening, thereby breaking said first sealing means and permitting the sudden escape of pressure air from said chamber.

4. A noise producing toy including means defining a pressure chamber having an opening defined therein, an elongated piston having one of its ends in said opening and having its other end located in said chamber, a first sealing means intermediate the end of said piston in said opening and said chamber to seal said opening from the egress of pressure air, and second sealing means between the end of said piston in said chamber and the means defining said chamber for preventing pressure air in said chamber from acting on that end of said piston, said second sealing means being breakable at a predetermined air pressure less than that required to break said first sealing means, and means for supplying pressure air to said chamber to create said predetermined pressure whereupon said `second sealing means is broken thereby permitting the pressure air in said chamber to act on the end of said piston in said chamber to rapidly displace said piston outwardly through said opening, thereby breaking said first sealing means and permitting the sudden escape of pressure air from said chamber, said first sealing means including means for maintaining said rst seal intact during the initial portion of the outward displacement of said piston so that said pressure air will effect rapid and substantial displacement of said piston before said first seal is broken.

5. A simulated cannon comprising a frame, a barrel, means for slidably supporting said barrel in said frame, means on said frame defining an air chamber, an opening in said chamber, a source of pressure air for said chamber, means for sealing said opening to prevent the egress of pressure air from said chamber, means for breaking said seal including a piston subject to pressure air in said chamber, means for minimizing the air pressure on the portions of said piston which supply forces to break said seal below a predetermined pressure and for exposing said portions to said pressure air when said predetermined pressure is reached so as `to effect movement of said piston under the force of said pressure air to break said seal, means for maintaining said seal intact during the initial portion of the movement of said piston so that said pressure air will effect rapid movement of said piston before said seal is broken, means connecting said piston and said barrel so that movement of said piston is effective to move said barrel in its slidable support, and resilient means for returning said barrel and said piston to its original position after the air pressure in said chamber is released incident to the breaking of said seal.

6. A simulated cannon comprising a frame, a barrel,

a receptacle for a shell ca se in said frame, a shell case in said receptacle. means `on said frame defining an air chamber, an opening in said chamber, a source of pressure air for said chamber, means for sealing said opening to prevent the egress of pressure air from said chamber, means for breaking said seal including a piston subject to pressure air in said chamber, means for minimizing the air pressure on the portions of said piston which supply forces to break said seal below a predetermined pressure and for exposing said portions to said pressure air when said predetermined pressure is reached so as to eect movement of said piston under the force of said pressure air to break said seal, means for maintaining said seal intact during the initial movement of said piston so that said pressure air will effect rapid movement of said piston before said seal is broken, and means connecting said piston and said shell case receptacle so that movement of said piston is effective to eject said shell case from said receptacle.

7. A simulated cannon comprising a frame, a barrel, means for slidably supporting said barrel in the forward end of said frame, a receptacle for a shell case on the rearward end of said frame, a shell case in said receptacle, means on said frame defining an air chamber, an opening in said chamber, a source of pressure air for said chamber, means for sealing said opening to prevent the egress of pressure air from said chamber, means for breaking said seal including a piston subject to pressure air in said chamber, means for minimizing the air pressure on the portions of said piston which supply forces to break said seal below a predetermined pressure and for exposing said portions to said pressure air when said predetermined pressure is reached so as to effect movement of said piston under the force of said pressure air to break said seal, means for maintaining said seal intact during the initial portion of the movement of said piston so that said pressure air will effect rapid movement of said piston before said seal is broken, means connecting said piston and said barrel so that movement of said piston is effective to move said barrel in its slidable support, resilient means for returning said barrel and said piston to its original position after the air pressure in said chamber is released incident to the breaking of said seal, and means connecting said piston and said shell case receptacle so that movement of said piston is effective to eject said shell case from said receptacle.

8. A simulated cannon comprising a frame, a barrel, means for slidably supporting said barrel in said frame, means on said frame defining a pressure chamber having an opening therein, an elongated piston having one of its ends in said opening and having its other end located in said chamber, a first sealing means intermediate the end of said piston in said opening and said chamber to seal said opening from the egress of pressure air, and second sealing means between the end of said piston in said chamber and the means defining said chamber for preventing pressure air in said chamber from acting onthat end of said piston, said second sealing means being breakable at a predetermined air pressure less than that required to break said first sealing means, means for supplying pressure air to said chamber to create said predetermined pressure whereupon said second sealing means is broken, thereby permitting the pressure air in said chamber to act on the end of said piston in said chamber to rapidly displace said piston outwardly through said opening, thereby breaking said first sealing means and permitting the sudden escape of pressure air from said chamber, said first sealing means including means for maintaining said first seal intact during the initial portion of the outward displacement of said piston so that said pressure air will effect rapid and substantial displacement of said piston before said first seal is broken, means connecting said piston and said barrel so that displacement of said piston is effective to move said barrel in its slidable support, and resilient means for returning said barrel and said piston to its original position and for re-establishing said first and second sealing means after the air pressure in said chamber is released.

9. A simulated cannon comprising a frame, a barrel on said frame, means on said frame defining a pressure chamber having an opening defined therein, an elongated piston having one of its ends in said opening and having its other end located in said chamber, a first sealing means intermediate the end of said piston in said opening and said chamber to seal said opening from the egress of pressure air, and second sealing means between the end of said piston in said chamber and the means deiining said chamber for preventing pressure air in said chamber from acting on that end of said piston, said second sealing means being breakable at a predetermined air pressure less than that required to break said iirst sealing means, means for supplying pressure air to said chamber to create said predetermined pressure whereupon said second sealing means is broken, thereby permitting the pressure air in said chamber to act on the end of said piston in said chamber to rapidly displace said piston outwardly through said opening, thereby breaking said rst sealing means and permitting the sudden escape of pressure air from said chamber, said rst sealing means including means for maintaining said irst seal intact during the initial portion of the outward displacement of said piston so that said pressure air will ecect rapid and substantial displacement of said piston before said iirst seal is broken, the end of said piston in said opening being provided with a cavity, which is proportioned to receive a simulated shell case, whereby when a shell case is placed in said cavity it is ejected incident to outward displacement of said piston by said air pressure, and resilient means for returning said piston to its original position after pressure air in said chamber s released to re-establish said first and second sealing means.

10. A simulated cannon comprising a frame, a barrel, means for slidably supporting said barrel in the forward end of said frame, means on said frame defining a pressure chamber having an opening therein, an elongated piston having one of its ends in said opening and having its other end located in said chamber, a iirst sealing upon said second sealing means is broken, thereby per-r mitting the pressure air in said chamber to act on the end of said piston in said chamber to rapidly displace said piston outwardly through said opening, thereby breaking said first sealing means and permitting the sudden escape of pressure air from said chamber, said rst sealing means including means for maintaining said first seal intact during the initial portion of the outward displacement of said piston so that said pressure air will etect rapid and substantial displacement of said piston before said seal is broken, means connecting said piston and said barrel so that displacement of said piston is eiective to move said barrel in its slidable support, resilient means for returning said barrel and said piston to its original position and for re-establishing said irst and second sealing means after the air pressure in said chamber is released, the end of said piston in said opening being provided with a cavity, which is proportioned to receive a simulated shell case, whereby when a shell case is placed in said cavity it is ejected incident to outward displacement of said piston by said air pressure.

References Cited in the iile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,288,814 Blackshear Dec. 24, 1918 1,755,142 Aronson Apr. 15, 1930 2,478,224 Armstrong Aug. 9, 1949 2,660,000 Strayer Nov. 24, 1953 2,674,989 Morsch Apr. 13, 1954 2,729,208 Gaeke Jan. 3, 1956 2,762,357 Foster Sept. 11, 1956 2,837,865 Wells June 10, 1958 

